Motor fuel and its manufacture



ERNST JOHANSEN, OF FALL RIVER. MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO NEW ENGLAND OIL REFINING COMPANY, OF FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

No Drawing. Application filed April 4,

This invention relates to a novel fuel for use in internal combustion engines.

It has been known for some time that certain organic metallic compounds, especially lead compounds, when added to motor fuels, such as certain commercial gasolines, render the vapors of the latter when mixed with air capable of much higher compression, than would otherwise be the case, before the mixture will detonate when ignited under pres-' sure. In other words, by the use of gasoline thus treated, internal combustion motors can be run at a much higher compres sion than in the case of gasoline not so treated. without the occurrence of the objectionable phenomenon known as knocking, thus greatly increasing the power and efficiency of the engine.

The lead compounds heretofore used for this purpose are organic lead compounds produced by special synthetic processes widely differing from those employed in the refining of petroleum. The expense of producing these organic lead compounds is relatively high so that the price of the fuels to which these compounds have been added is considerably increased.

I have found that motor fuels containing organic metallic compounds may be readily and cheaply produced by the'direct action of certain metallic oxides or compounds upon certain petroleum products. In this way, the desirable metal compounds are formed directly in the petroleum product or fuel and remain dissolved in the latter. The costly separate production of expensive synthetic metal compounds and their addition to the motor fuel, such as gasoline, are thus avoided. I

In preparing my novel fuel I use the petroleum products known as sour distillates, (see Das Erdol by Engler,Hofer, 1911, vol. 3, page 871, foot note), obtained in the distillation of crude petroleum or intermediate petroleum products. These distillates are characterized by their ability to react with certain metallic compounds, for

example certain metallic oxides or a solution of said oxides in an alkali solution, thereby forming metallic compounds that will remain dissolved in the distillates. -I expose these distillates to the action of said metallic compounds or oxides, preferably using for this purpose either lead oxide or MOTOR FUEL AND ITS MANUFACTURE.

1924. Serial No. 704,165.

alkali plumbite, but do not limit myself to the use of these materials. A fraction of sour. distillate, having a boiling range suitable for motor fuel, is first freed from the elementary sulphur therein contained in any suitable manner, for instance by redistillation. Previous to this or after, the distillate may be treated with a slight amount of sulphuric acid to improve the color and odor of the distillate, following this by washing with water. This however is optional. The product obtained by the redistillation is then agitated at ordinary temperature with lead oxide (litharge) either in dry form or dissolved in a solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide whereby a sodium or potassium plumbite is formed (alkali plumbite). The colorof the distillate, which is generally water white, is by this treatment changed to yellow. If the dry lead oxide is used, any excess of lead oxide is first allowed to settle, whereupon the liquid product becomes perfectly clear and can be drawn ofl ready for use. If a solution of lead oxide in sodium or potassium hydroxide is used any excess thereof will separate and having been allowed to settle may be drawn ofi'. I preferably use from one to three pounds of lead oxide per forty-two gallon barrel of distillate.

The clear settled yellow product containing up to one gram of lead per liter, or even more, is permanent under ordinary conditions, and can be used as a 'motor fuel for engines working with high compression. It can be used either pure or blended in any suitable proportions with gasoline or other motor fuels, such as benzol, alcohol or ether.

The novel motor fuel produced by the tion in petroleum hydrocarbons of compounds of lead with sour distillate components.

3. A motor fuel which comprises a solu- 5 tion in petroleum hydrocarbons of compounds of lead oxide with sour distillate components.

4. A motor fuel which comprises a-solution in petroleum hydrocarbons of metal 10 compounds with sour distillate components,

said compounds being soluble in said fuel.

5. A motor fuel which comprises a solution in petroleum hydrocarbons of lead oxide-compounds with sour distillate components and containing up to one gram of lead per liter of fuel.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ERNST J OHANSEN. 

